BAGELS & SALSA
Logline
SUMMER 1977: As the Son of Sam terrorizes Manhattan, a Jewish sociologist from Long Island takes a romantic gamble and follows a handsome Latino doctor to rural New Mexico where their love is tested by his surly mama, gorgeous ex-girlfriend, a Son of Sam copycat, and cultural differences.
Genre
Romance,Comedy,Drama,Biographical
Short Summary
As the Son of Sam and a heat wave plague NYC, Laila Levin, a Jewish sociologist from Long Island, meets Dr. Eduardo Quintana a native New Mexican while giving a speech on the epidemic problem of teenage pregnancies. Within days, their mutual passion is so intense it stuns them both.
After surviving culture shock of life in rural New Mexico, blatant rejection from Eduardo's mother, and the return of Eduardo's drop-dead gorgeous girlfriend from a failed career in Hollywood, Laila and Eduardo have a hilarious wedding in Santa Fe where a shocking family secret is revealed
Setting
New York City, A ranch in New Mexico
Based on a True Story
Yes
Plot - Premise
Other
Plot - Other Elements
Happy Ending,Meaningful Message,Twist,Philosophical Questions
Mature Audience Themes
Information not completed
Main Character Details
Name: Laila Levin
Age: 28
Gender: Female
Role: Protagonist
Key Traits: Adventurous,Modest,Charming,Complex,Faithful,Sexy,Funny,Romantic,Sophisticated,Naive,Educated,Honorable,Clumsy
Additional Character Details
Name: EDUARDO QUINTANA
Age: 35
Gender: Male
Role: Emotional
Key Traits: Adventurous,Masculine,Modest,Aggressive,Charming,Complex,Decisive,Blunt,Sexy,Empathetic,Engaging,Faithful,Gracious,Heartthrob,Educated,Heroic,Honorable,Leader,Unapologetic,Seductive,Romantic,Skillful
Additional Character Details
Name: VIOLET SANCHEZ
Age: 35
Gender: Female
Role: antagonist
Key Traits: Aspiring,Adventurous,Aggressive,Sexy,Crazy,Narcisstic,Seductive,Manipulative,Unapologetic,Insecure,Charming,Desperate
Additional Character Details
Name: DAVE
Age: 40
Gender: Male
Role: antagonist
Key Traits: Underdog,Villainous,Clumsy,Crazy,Criminal,Desperate,Uneducated,Secretive,Lone Wolf
Development Pitch
Two cultures collide when a Jewish woman from New York falls in love with a Latino doctor from rural New Mexico. Set in the summer of 1977 as the Son of Sam terrorizes New York City, Laila Levin, meets the dashing Dr. Eduardo Quintana while presenting post doctorate research on the epidemic problem of U.S. teenage pregnancies. What begins as a playful flirtation, propels into a more serious relationship. Their mutual passion is so intense, that after a brief courtship, Eduardo invites her to accompany him to his family ranch in New Mexico where he plans to open a practice. The rural town has one of the highest pregnancy rates in North America, perfect for Laila's research. Once in New Mexico, their relationship is tested by Eduardo’s controlling mother who blatantly rejects Laila, his drop dead gorgeous ex-girlfriend who recently returned after a walk on the dark side of Hollywood, and a Son of Sam copycat who has stalked Laila cross-country. The vegetarian Laila experiences culture shock at a matanza, a family gathering where they roast a pig. In the midst of the pandemonium that results, a shocking family secret is revealed and the question becomes can their relationship survive the fierce clash of cultures, the murderous intentions of a Son of Sam copycat, Eduardo’s mother’s rejection, and their own uncertainties about the upheaval that their unison will have on their lives. Bagels & Salsa is loosely based on the author's real life experiences.